Barnsley PTA Blog

Play Chess at Barnsley This Spring!

2009-03-09T19:15:00.001-04:00

Play Chess at Barnsley!

Spring 2008/2009

The Barnsley PTA is pleased to sponsor chess lessons with Russian
Chess Master Victor Sherman. Mr. Sherman was a coach for the city of
Leningrad, has a USCF rating of 2400, and has taught many well-known
Grand Masters. Recently two of his students Brian Li (5th grade) and
Shinsaku Uezugi (10th grade) won US national championships.

Students with or without chess experience are welcome. Students will
be grouped for lessons and games based on their ability. Chess
teaches kids to think before they act. They learn strategy,
sportsmanship and about the consequences of their decisions. It's
also lots of fun!

Who: 3rd, 4th and 5th graders; 2nd graders with experience

Date/Time: Thursday mornings from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m in the Media Center.

Meeting Dates: Mar. 26; Apr. 2, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28; June 4
(11 classes)

Place: Barnsley Media Center

Cost: $105.00 per student (BRING A CHECK PAYABLE TO THE Victor
Sherman Chess School TO FIRST SESSION, NO PRE-REGISTRATION)

Financial assistance is available through BEST Gifts.

Materials: Chess sets and boards will be provided.

Questions? Contact David Berrigan at 301-460-0689

______________________________________________________

Barnsley Chess Club Registration Form

Please bring this form, along with a check payable to the Victor
Sherman Chess School for $105.00 to the first session on March 26th,
2009.

Student Name _________________________________ Phone _______________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

Grade ___________ Teacher ______________________ email
_______________________

Previous Chess Experience: __ None – I'm a "rook"ie! __ I play a
bit, but want to learn more!

__ I beat everyone at my house and need a challenge!

FREE MOVIE NIGHT ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14

2009-03-07T08:45:00.001-05:00

The PTA is pleased to present "Robots" (rated PG) on Saturday, March
14th in the All Purpose Room. Doors open at 6:45. Each child will
receive popcorn and a bottle of water. Families can bring their own
snacks and drinks, but all drinks MUST have a cap or lid to avoid
spills on the floors and mats. Please bring cushions, blankets or
sleeping bags for the kids to sit on (there will be chairs set up in
the back of the room, too). Please plan to stay with your children as
this is NOT a drop-off event. We need volunteers to make sure
everything runs smoothly. If you can help, please contact Kim Difonzo
at kimdifonzo@gmail.com This is always a fun event for everyone! See
you then.

FABULOUS INTERNATIONAL NIGHT!

2009-03-01T11:28:00.001-05:00

A very big thank you to Jenn Fields and all the volunteers who made
our Barnsley International Night such a huge success! It was
inspiring to see so many families come together to celebrate our
different cultures and traditions. The array of food offered
something tantalizing for every taste and the Fashion Show was a treat
for the eyes. The entertainment from our own 2nd and 3rd graders was
delightful and the demonstration of traditional middle-eastern dance
really wowed the audience! Congratulations to the raffle winners --
those baskets were chocked full of goodies. Everyone had a great time
and we're all looking forward to next year's event.

RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER

2009-02-23T23:34:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 24 is the perfect night for dinner out! Go to Baja
Fresh and Baskin-Robbins in Congressional Plaza between 5 and 8 p.m.
for dinner and dessert. Be sure to tell them when you order that
you're from Barnsley Elementary and the school will receive a
percentage of the proceeds. Tell your friends and neighbors to come,
too. See you there!

Interntational Night Gift Basket Donations

2009-02-19T11:10:00.001-05:00

REMINDER: All items for the International Night Gift Baskets must be
turned in to your child's teacher by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23. The Gift
Basket Themes are:
International Cookie Basket, Kindergarten; Desserts from Around the
World, 1st grade; International Teas, 2nd grade; International
Coffees, 3rd grade; International Music, 4th grade and Mrs. Gordon's
and Ms. Federlein's classes; International Cooking, 4th grade
Center; International Toys/Games, 5th grade; and International
Snacks, 5th grade Center.

B-I-N-G-O Night was F-U-N!!

2009-02-18T10:45:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to Andrea Hoffman, Dan DiFonzo, Mary Ann Bruce, Nancy
Morin and KAH for a fabulous Bingo Night! There were lots of winners
with the new & fast electronic system from KAH and delicious goodies
which were generously dontated by many families. It was great to see
Ms. Alban and Mrs. Brant and her family joining in the fun, too. We
are lucky to have such wonderful families at Barnsley!

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT IS COMING

2009-02-11T11:32:00.001-05:00

All students and their families are invited to join us on Saturday,
February 28th from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Barnsley. Please bring one
traditional-style dish (from your country or region of origin) to
share with 10 - 12 people. Please also include an index card with the
list of ingredients. Paper goods will be provided by the Barnsley
PTA. Feel free to come dressed in traditional clothing from your
country. There will be plenty of entertainment: We will be having an
International Fashion Show, Barnsley students will be performing and
there will be a raffle for International-Themed Gift Baskets! A
minimum donation of $2 per family is required. Please contact Jenn
Fields jenn@jennandjustin.com if you have questions.

Valentine's BINGO Night on Friday

2009-02-10T11:28:00.001-05:00

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE. BINGO cards are 75 cents
each OR 3 cards for $2. We will have a bake sale and donations are
needed. Small toys, games and other items that can be used for prizes
are also needed. There is a box in the school office for these items.
Come join the fun!

School Lunch Menu Changes

2009-02-04T12:20:00.001-05:00

Due to the recent snow days, there will be changes to 2 upcoming
school lunch menus:

Friday 2/6 - Chicken Patty with Corn WILL CHANGE TO Hot Dog with Corn.

Monday 2/9 - Grilled Cheese w/ Tater Tots WILL CHANGE TO Grilled Ham
and Cheese w/Tater Tots

We will let you know if there are any other changes to the menus. Thanks!

PHOTOS FOR YEARBOOK

2009-01-21T10:51:00.001-05:00

It's time to start planning for the Barnsley Yearbook. If you have
any photos from classrooms, field trips, assemblies or other Barnsley
school activities that you would like to share, please put them on a
labeled CD and deliver them to the "Yearbook" mailbox at the school.

BIG NIGHT AT URBAN BURGER

2009-01-21T10:45:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to all who participated in our successful fundraiser at
Urban Burger -- we earned $355 for Barnsley! Great food and good fun
for all! Join us for our next "Dining for Dollars" on Tuesday,
February 24th at Baja Fresh in Congressional Plaza.

BURGERS FOR BARNSLEY!

2009-01-13T15:17:00.000-05:00

Don't forget: Urban Burger Night is tonight, Tuesday, January 13th
from 5 - 8 p.m. (5566 Norbeck Road in the Rock Creek Village Shopping
Center). Eat in or take out! 15% of all sales go directly to
Barnsley! No flyers needed. Come and enjoy!

Calling All Wanna Be Scientists!

2009-01-12T14:59:00.001-05:00

We still are looking for adult volunteers to help with the hands-on
experiments during Science Night on Thursday, January 29th. It's only
a 1-hour time commitment and lots of fun! Please contact
mollynatch@gmail.com if you are interested.

Science Night Info Packet

2008-12-30T16:16:00.003-05:00

Everything you need to prepare for Science Night will be here online. Click here to download the packet of information your child will need for this event! Now is the perfect time for your budding scientist to get started on his or her project. Have fun and we'll see you there!

Science Night, January 29th

2008-12-29T23:25:00.001-05:00

The Science Night for this school year will be held on Thursday,
January 29, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Just like last year, the Science
Night is composed of two parts: a 'Hands-On' area where students can
see and get involved with hands-on science experiments in the
all-purpose room, and the Science Fair to be held in the gym.

NOTE THAT PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED THIS YEAR! Due to the
overwhelming success last year, we want to make sure that we have
enough supplies and tables set up for all students coming to the
event. Siblings ages 5 through 12 can attend as well as long as they
pre-register.

Information/Registration packets were sent home on December 22nd;
however, if you did not receive one, the packet will be available on
the Barnsley PTA Web site soon and will be available at school after
Winter Break (January 5th). Go over the packet with your children and
see if they are interested in having a table to display a project,
poster or observation.

Adult volunteers are needed for a 1-hour shift at the the Hands-On
experiment tables and the registration desk. Those who helped last
year said they had lots of fun! If you are interested in volunteering
please contact Molly at corsec@barnsleypta.org

Next PTA Meeting January 6th 7:00 p.m.

2008-12-24T15:03:00.001-05:00

Our Tentative Agenda for the monthly meeting is as follows:
PTA Welcome - Bil Garner
Principal's Welcome and Summary - Kristin Alban
Events - Jesse McGinley
Program's Review - Mary Carvajal
Upcoming Speakers and Meeting Topics - Amy Kines
Treasurer's Report - Lee Sobel
Open Discussion/Adjourn - Everyone

In addition, we will be hosting Math Night for 3rd - 5th Grade Families.

Discover the practical value of mathematical thought and see how it
can open you mind, transform your thoughts, and build brainpower. Find
hidden images, sequences and patterns. Have fun with optical illusions
and fascinating facts. Learn where the numbers come from and why the
triangle is one of the strongest shapes. See spectacular symmetry in
nature and experience-intriguing mazes. And much, much more! This
action packed night will bring an understanding of the math
connections in our world and to the old saying, "There is beauty in
mathematics and mathematics in beauty!"

Snacks of Appreciation

2008-12-06T16:31:00.001-05:00

As a small gesture of our appreciation to the Barnsley teachers and
staff for their willingness to forfeit their raises for next year, the
PTA would like to provide snacks in the Teachers' Lounge on Tuesday,
December 9th. If you would like to donate an item (either decadent or
healthy) please contact corsec@barnsleypta.org. Thanks!

Thank You, MCPS Teachers and Staff

2008-12-04T11:22:00.001-05:00

It was reported this morning that Montgomery County's teachers and
school workers agreed Tuesday to forfeit their 5 percent salary
increase next year, resulting in an $89 million
savings. The concession lets Superintendent Jerry D. Weast balance the
budget of Maryland's largest school system. (See the link below for
the complete story.)

The Barnsley PTA salutes our teachers and school employees for making
this sacrifice for our children.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=316&sid=1536768

New Trees Planted!

2008-11-26T14:01:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the generous support of the Montgomery County Sierra Club
and the TREEMENDOUS Maryland Program, Barnsley received free trees (3
Bald Cyprus, 2 River Birch) which were planted Sunday, November 23 by
our great volunteers: John & Cristy Baker, Steve Bruce, Susan
Eisendrath & Joe Libertelli, Tony Kurtz, Margie & J.P. Marple. And
thanks to Ms. Alban, Ms. Brant and the Building Services Staff, Paul
Njofang and Donald Tinsman, for helping with the planting and for
maintaning the trees!

Volunteers Needed to Help Plant Trees at Barnsley

2008-11-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Susan Eisendrath and Margie Marple, Barnsley Elementary
School is going to receive 5 trees (2 River Birch and 3 Bald Cyprus)
to support our School Eco Response Team (SERT)/Green Schools program.
They were able to get these trees through the "Trees for Schools"
project which is a partnership between the Montgomery County Sierra
Club and the TREEMENDOUS Maryland Program. Through this project, the
school will also provide educational messages on the benefits of
trees.

They have arranged with Ms. Alban to plant the trees on Sunday,
November 23 at 1:00 in front of the school. We need a few good diggers
(about 6 adults) who would be willing to help plant these trees.
Please contact Susan Eisendrath at susan.eisendrath@gmail.com or
phone: 301-460-3907 by Friday if you can help.

Barnsley PTA Website Minor Updates

2008-11-10T20:24:00.002-05:00

There are some minor updates that can be found on the main Barnsley PTA website at http://www.barnsleypta.org:

A school year calendar is posted.
New membership forms have been posted in English and Spanish.
Email addresses for the PTA officers have been posted.
Other minor edits.

Check them out but PLEASE keep watching this space for our most current information. See you at the Movie Night on Friday!

Free Family Movie Night, Friday, November 14th

2008-11-07T06:43:00.001-05:00

The Barnsley PTA is happy to present Kung Fu Panda! (rated PG, 88
minutes) Doors open at 6:45. Bring cushions, blankets or sleeping
bags to the All Purpose Room (chairs will be set up in the back of the
room). Each child receives a bag of popcorn and a drink (juice box or
water). This is NOT a drop off event, so please plan to stay with
your children. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Kim DiFonzo at
kimdifonzo@comcast.net

Vendor Spaces Still Available for Holiday Boutique

2008-10-21T12:02:00.001-04:00

There are still spaces available for anyone interested in selling
their hand-crafted or speciality items at the Barnsley Holiday
Boutique on Wednesday, November 19th. We also need volunteers to help
with the raffle and to ensure that the evening runs smoothly. If
interested, please contact executivevp@barnsleypta.org or
waysandmeansvp@barnsleypta.org

Bakers and Helpers Still Needed!

2008-10-21T11:58:00.001-04:00

We are still looking for baked goods (home baked or store bought) to
sell during our Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 4 at Wood
Middle School. Please contact executivevp@barnsleypta.org or
waysandmeansvp@barnsleypta.org if you can help.

Correction to Beacon

2008-10-14T10:15:00.001-04:00

Please note: in the article, "And the Survey Says Communication is
Key" the number of PTA members during 2007-08 school year was 177;
not 117. My apologies for the error.
~ Molly Natchipolsky, Beacon Editor